Novi city manager resigns for Texas job

Novi City Manager Clay Pearson has resigned to take a job as the city manager of Pearland, Texas, a Houston suburb of about 105,000 residents.

Pearson, who was appointed city manager in 2006, was hired in September 2000 as assistant city manager after more than 10 years working for Elgin, Ill. in a variety of roles, including assistant city manager.

His last day in Novi is Feb. 28; he begins working for Pearland on March 10.

The city will conduct a national search to find Pearson's replacement, according to a news release.

"The Novi traditions of having an eye to the future with quality and professionalism are values I think I have helped sustain and that I know will continue," Pearson said in a statement.

The news release said Pearson, 46, was responsible for overseeing the city's budget, which in the current fiscal year is $56.1 million, $29.7 million of which is the general fund.

According to the news release, during Pearson's tenure he oversaw site plan review and building inspections for the construction of the 200-bed St. John's Providence Park Hospital, which opened in 2008, and a 260,000-square-foot expansion of Twelve Oaks Mall.